Baked Ziti with Ground Beef (Printable)
Tender pasta combined with savory beef, tangy marinara, and melted cheese baked to golden perfection.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti pasta
→ Meat
02 - 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 fat ratio recommended
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Seasonings
05 - 3 cups marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
06 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Cheeses
10 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
11 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Other
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - Fresh basil or parsley for garnish, optional
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add ziti pasta and cook until just al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in marinara sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained ziti pasta, beef and marinara mixture, ricotta cheese, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix gently until evenly combined.
07 - Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the remaining mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top.
08 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes to heat through and melt the cheeses.
09 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. Let the baked ziti stand for 10 minutes before serving to set. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of tender pasta pockets filled with seasoned beef and three cheeses creates that perfect comfort food texture everyone craves
- It makes excellent leftovers and actually tastes better the next day when the flavors have had time to become best friends
02 -
- Always cook your pasta slightly less than you normally would since it will continue cooking in the oven
- The resting period is not optional, as it gives the cheese time to set so you get nice distinct layers instead of a messy slide
03 -
- For the best cheese pull, reserve a bit of extra mozzarella to add during the final 5 minutes of baking
- If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the remaining bake time